Re: Gilliam coat of arms

The first available reference to the Gilliam (Gillam, Gillum) family is from France.Because of his dedication and valor, the Count de Guillaums was honored by William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastiness (1066 A.D.) and granted the family “Coat-of-Arms.”

The Guillaum family migrated to England and Scotland and changed the name to Gilliam.Variations of the name developed throughout England and Scotland (Gillam, Gillum, Guilliam, Gilham). The Gilliam family is mentioned in the lists of the MacKay Clan of Nothwestern Scotland between 1400 and 1500.The Scottish Coat of Arms shows the Gilliam family to be a sea-going family (Coat of Arms contains three dauphins (white on black shield) and three anchors (green on gold chevron).

William Gilliam is listed at the Christening of his daughter Anna, 11 March 1632, and son William 3 Nov 1633,at Aberlady, East Lothian, Scotland.Michael Gillium is listed at the Christening of his son James, 25 Feb. 1665 at Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. In 1605 two Gilliam brothers(John & William) were deported(as troublesome highlanders) from Edinburgh Scotland to the Virginia Colony.

1603 - Queen Elizabeth dies - James I.becomes King"I have one doctrine, one religion, I alone will decide what is truth in the Church of England.I will make you conform or I will drive you from England, or even worse - hangyou."Many people went to Holland and became known as “Pilgrims,” who eventually migrated to the “New World.”

Sir Richard Devereux Gilliam (England) married Lady Dorothy, daughter of the Earl of Pembroke.Sir Richard was the eldest son of Walter Gilliam, Viscount of Hereford. Three sons of Sir Richard(John, Devereux & William) came to the Virginia Colony in 1635 aboard the Constance with a Royal commission from England to survey and map the Dominion of Virginia.

A patent granted to Joseph Royall, August 20, 1642 in Henrico County, Virginia, for the transportation of 12 person, among whom were John (age 21) and Thomas (age 18)Gillam.The twoGilliam brothers came from Gravesend, England aboard the George, John Severne, master.

>From these Gilliams,the American Gilliam family are descended.The early Gilliams all lived in Virginia, owning large tracts of land in Surry, Prince George, Southampton, and Appamattox County.Those who moved to North Carolina owned large tracts of landin North Eastern North Carolina.